This year make your gardening experience an environmentally friendly one with five innovative ideas from the Green Bride Guide.

Green Bride Guide, a green wedding resource that has relationships with 1,300 green businesses across the country, was launched in 2009 by environmental lawyer Kate L. Harrison after her book The Green Bride Guide: How To Plan An Earth-Friendly Wedding On Any Budget became a best-seller in the wedding category. (Sourcebooks, 2008)

1. Conserve Water with Rain Barrels!

Capturing rain for your gardening needs is beneficial for the plants and soil. Rainwater is free of harmful salts and minerals and does not have to be treated. Municipal water and well water contains additives such as chlorine and minerals that roots have a hard time absorbing. Rainwater is soft water and roots can absorb it much more efficiently. Rainwater is not only good for outdoor gardens, but can be used for indoor plants, water for pets and farm animals. Rainwater harvesting is a green and effective means to conserve our water supply.

This smart gardening set helps anyone begin a healthful organic vegetable garden. Sow your organic seeds, and let nature take its course. Enjoy cooking with your own garden fresh veggies, knowing that you used implements and accessories made of natural or recycled materials that help preserve the environment.

Protect yourself from the sun with a hat made from sustainable materials. The Mendocino Hat provides stylish sun protection in 100% natural raffia. Lightweight and comfortable with a semi-custom fit, it offers unbeatable UPF 50+ sun protection that stays put thanks to an adjustable chinstrap. Protect yourself while gardening or dress up a summer sundress for dinner on the deck. This sun hat is hand-braided from raffia, with a wide, 3" brim and internal elastic sweatband that adjusts to most head sizes.

Porcelain washtubs like these, once common throughout central Europe in the 1930s, make beautiful containers for culinary herbs and other edible plants. This authentic found object from Hungary is perfect for creating edible gardening space on your deck, patio or rooftop. This is perfect for the urban gardener with very little space to work with!

Made of a combination of breathable bamboo and sturdy leather (on the palms), they're lightweight, washable, and allow you great dexterity when working with delicate plants. These gloves come in men's and women's sizes in different colors. Keep your hands clean and green with these durable garden gloves.

The Green Bride Guide is an online resource for eco-friendly wedding ideas, product and services. Their Green Wedding Directory has over 1,500 green wedding service providers, such as restaurants that serve local, organic food and limousine companies that use hybrid vehicles. The Wedding Shop http://www.greenbrideguide.com/wedding-shop has a selection of eco-friendly wedding invitations, favors, and reception décor. The site's Green Wedding Registry offers home goods and other gifts hand selected for their quality and environmental savings. For further information on the Green Bride Guide, visit www.greenbrideguide.com.